Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted at a surprising new role for Ethan Nwaneri, the club’s teenage sensation.
While Nwaneri has impressed in midfield this season, Arteta is considering shifting the 17-year-old to a new position that could see him evolve into a forward, Footballrover reports.
As the Gunners prepare for their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace, the Arsenal boss is plotting to make sure fans see a new side of their wonderkid.
Ethan Nwaneri’s new role: Midfield or forward?
Ethan Nwaneri is slowly becoming an important figure in Arsenal’s first-team squad, mainly playing as one of the No. 8 midfielders.
The teenager’s impressive performances, including four goals this season, have caught the eye of Arteta, who sees potential for Nwaneri to develop into more than just a midfielder.
Arteta is now weighing the possibility of moving Nwaneri into a forward position based on his strong finishing ability.
A bright future ahead for Nwaneri
Although Nwaneri will likely start in midfield during Arsenal’s upcoming quarter-final clash, the idea of him shifting to a more attacking role has excited many.
Arteta believes the young star’s goal-scoring instincts could make him a future threat in the No. 9 position.
“Ethan can play as a right attacking midfielder or a left attacking midfielder,” said Arteta. “He can play as a right winger, and there is another position I think he can develop into—No. 9.
“He has got the goal in front of him, and he looks at the goal, and he has a tremendous ability to put the ball in the back of the net.”
“We will decide that in the morning in relation to how the squad is,” he said. “It’s obviously the quarter-finals, so it’s a very important match. We will try to be the best team to win it,” Arteta said.
As the Arsenal boss marks his five-year anniversary at Arsenal on Friday, he remains focused on securing more trophies.
The Spanish manager has already won the FA Cup and two Community Shields but aims to achieve even greater success.
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